system

Abstract

It achieves both enhanced security and more convenient operation control. [Solution] A system is provided which includes a control device mounted on a housing and a program installed on a portable device carried by the user of the housing, wherein the control device causes a controlled device provided on the housing to perform a specified operation when the RSSI of a wireless signal conforming to a specified communication standard transmitted and received between a communication device mounted on the housing and the portable device exceeds a threshold, the program performs control to send a relaxation request requesting relaxation of the threshold when a specified operation on the portable device is detected, the control device relaxes the threshold when the communication device receives the relaxation request, and causes a controlled device provided on the housing to perform a specified operation when the RSSI exceeds the relaxed threshold.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a technique for controlling the operation of an object to be manipulated based on the received signal strength (Received Signal Strength Indicator, RSSI) of a wireless signal transmitted by a terminal has been disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, RSSI is greatly affected by obstacles such as the human body. Therefore, depending on the positional relationship between the object to be manipulated, the terminal, and the person carrying the terminal, a situation where RSSI significantly decreases may occur.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to achieve both security assurance and more convenient operation control.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, according to one aspect of the present invention, a system is provided which includes a control device mounted on a housing and a program installed on a portable device carried by a user of the housing, wherein the control device causes a controlled device provided on the housing to perform a predetermined operation when the RSSI of a wireless signal conforming to a predetermined communication standard transmitted and received between a communication device mounted on the housing and the portable device exceeds a threshold, the program performs control to transmit a relaxation request requesting relaxation of the threshold when a predetermined operation on the portable device is detected, the control device relaxes the threshold when the communication device receives the relaxation request, and causes a controlled device provided on the housing to perform a predetermined operation when the RSSI exceeds the relaxed threshold. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] As explained above, the present invention makes it possible to achieve both security and more convenient operation control. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This diagram illustrates an example of the functional configuration of System 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This sequence diagram shows an example of the control flow by System 1 according to the same embodiment. [Figure 3] This figure illustrates an example of a threshold according to the same embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. In this specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

[0010] Furthermore, in this specification and drawings, when describing multiple identical components to distinguish them, letters or other symbols may be added to the end of the reference numerals. On the other hand, when there is no need to distinguish multiple identical components, the letters or other symbols may be omitted, and a description common to all identical components may be provided.

[0011] <1. Embodiments> <<1.1. Example of Functional Configuration>> As mentioned above, RSSI is greatly affected by shielding objects such as the human body.

[0012] For example, if a human body is present between a transmitter that sends a wireless signal and a receiver that receives the wireless signal, the wireless signal may be attenuated by the human body, resulting in a significant decrease in RSSI.

[0013] Here, we assume that the transmitter is a portable device such as a smartphone, and the receiver is mounted on a moving object such as a vehicle.

[0014] Furthermore, RSSI is used to determine whether a portable device is located within a predetermined distance from a mobile object (or a receiver mounted on it). If it is determined that the portable device is located within a predetermined distance from the mobile object, it is assumed that the mobile object's controlled device is permitted to perform a specified operation.

[0015] In this case, when a user of a mobile vehicle approaches the vehicle with a portable device in their back pocket, the human body is present between the portable device and the receiver mounted on the vehicle, resulting in a significant decrease in the RSSI of the wireless signal received by the receiver.

[0016] Therefore, even if a portable device is located within a predetermined distance from a moving object, it may be incorrectly determined that the portable device is not located within that predetermined distance.

[0017] However, in order to avoid the above situation, if the threshold value used for comparison with RSSI in control is simply lowered, for example, even when the distance from the mobile object is far, such as when the user carrying the portable device is inside the house, the specified operation will be permitted.

[0018] The technical idea according to an embodiment of the present invention was conceived by paying attention to the above points, and it achieves both security assurance and more convenient operation control.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of the functional configuration of a system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the system 1 according to the present embodiment includes, for example, a mobile object 10 and a portable device 20.

[0021] (Mobile object 10) The mobile object 10 according to the present embodiment is an example of a housing. The mobile object 10 can be a vehicle such as a car, a ship, an aircraft, or the like.

[0022] Hereinafter, the case where the mobile object 10 is a four-wheel automobile will be mainly described as an example.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the mobile object 10 includes at least a communication device 12, a control device 14, a detection device 16, and a controlled device 18.

[0024] (Communication device 12) The communication device 12 according to the present embodiment transmits and receives a wireless signal conforming to a specified communication standard to and from the portable device 20.

[0025] The above-specified communication standard may be, for example, BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy).

[0026] However, the specified communication standard according to the present embodiment is not limited to BLE, and any communication standard may be adopted.

[0027] (Control device 14) The control device 14 according to this embodiment includes a control unit 15 that causes the controlled device 18 to perform a predetermined operation when the RSSI of a wireless signal compliant with a predetermined communication standard transmitted and received between the communication device 12 and the portable device 20 exceeds a threshold.

[0028] Furthermore, one of the features of the control unit 15 according to this embodiment is that when the communication device 12 receives a threshold relaxation request from the portable device 20, it relaxes the threshold, and if the RSSI exceeds the relaxed threshold, it causes the controlled device 18 to perform a predetermined operation.

[0029] The functions of the control unit 15 according to this embodiment are realized through the cooperation of various processors and memory.

[0030] Details of the functions of the control unit 15 according to this embodiment will be described later.

[0031] (Detection device 16) The detection device 16 according to this embodiment detects the user's proximity to the moving object 10.

[0032] For example, the detection device 16 according to this embodiment may detect the proximity of a user to the mobile body 10 based on the pressing of a switch provided on the door handle of the mobile body 10, or the detection of the proximity of an object by an electrostatic sensor provided on the door handle.

[0033] Furthermore, for example, the detection device 16 according to this embodiment may detect the proximity of a user to the mobile body 10 based on detecting a user (person) from an image captured by a camera mounted on the mobile body 10.

[0034] (Controlled device 18) The controlled device 18 in this embodiment is some device that can perform a predetermined operation in accordance with the control of the control device 14.

[0035] For example, the controlled device 18 may be a locking device that performs a predetermined operation to lock and unlock the door of the mobile body 10.

[0036] Furthermore, for example, the controlled device 18 may be the engine of the mobile body 10. In this case, the specified operation may be engine starting, engine starting permission, etc.

[0037] Furthermore, for example, the controlled device 18 according to this embodiment may be a lighting device. In this case, the specified operation may be turning the lights on or off.

[0038] (Portable device 20) The portable device 20 according to this embodiment is carried by the user of the mobile device 10 (for example, the owner of the mobile device 10, or a person authorized by the owner to use the mobile device 10).

[0039] The portable device 20 according to this embodiment may be, for example, a smartphone.

[0040] However, the portable device 20 according to this embodiment is not limited to a smartphone, and only needs to have the function of performing wireless communication in accordance with a specified communication standard with the communication device 12, and the function of detecting a specified operation.

[0041] In this embodiment, the portable device 20 is equipped with a program that controls the transmission of a relaxation request requesting a relaxation of the threshold when a specified operation on the portable device 20 is detected.

[0042] Details of the functions of the program installed on the portable device 20 according to this embodiment will be described later.

[0043] Furthermore, the portable device 20 according to this embodiment has a digital key pre-stored in association with the mobile device 10.

[0044] The above describes an example of the functional configuration of System 1 according to this embodiment. However, the above functional configuration described with reference to Figure 1 is merely an example, and the functional configuration of System 1 according to this embodiment is not limited to this example.

[0045] The functional configuration of System 1 according to this embodiment can be flexibly modified according to specifications, operation, etc.

[0046] <<1.2. Control Details>> Next, the control provided by System 1 according to this embodiment will be described in more detail.

[0047] As described above, if the RSSI decreases due to the effects of human body shielding, even if the portable device 20 is located within a predetermined distance from the mobile object 10, it may be determined that the portable device 20 is not located within a predetermined distance from the mobile object 10, which can lead to a situation where convenience is reduced.

[0048] On the other hand, if convenience is prioritized and the threshold used for comparison with RSSI is lowered, the prescribed operation will be permitted even when the mobile body 10 and the portable device 20 are far apart, which reduces security.

[0049] The technical concept relating to one embodiment of the present invention was conceived with the above-mentioned points in mind, and aims to achieve both security and more convenient operation control.

[0050] To this end, the program installed in the portable device 20 according to this embodiment is characterized by the ability to send a relaxation request requesting a relaxation of the threshold when a specified operation on the portable device 20 by the user is detected.

[0051] Furthermore, one of the features of the control device 14 according to this embodiment is that, when the communication device 12 receives the relaxation request, it relaxes the threshold for a predetermined time and performs RSSI determination using the relaxed threshold.

[0052] For example, the operations specified above may include tapping, swiping, etc. In this case, the portable device 20 is equipped with a touch panel or the like.

[0053] Furthermore, for example, the operation specified above may also be voice-operated. In this case, the portable device 20 is equipped with a microphone or the like.

[0054] Furthermore, for example, the operations specified above may also be operations using specified motions. In this case, the portable device 20 is equipped with an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope, and the like.

[0055] Thus, the prescribed operation of the portable device 20 is not limited to a single operation, but it is desirable that the operation can be performed and that the operation can be detected even when the portable device 20 is stored in a pocket or the like.

[0056] With the above configuration, even if the portable device 20 is stored in a pocket or the like and the RSSI is reduced due to the effects of body shielding, the specified operation can be performed without removing the portable device 20 from the pocket or the like, thus ensuring security while further improving convenience.

[0057] Hereinafter, with reference to Figures 2 and 3, an example of the control flow by System 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0058] Figure 2 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the control flow by System 1 according to this embodiment.

[0059] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a threshold value according to this embodiment.

[0060] In the following, it is assumed that authentication based on the digital key stored in the portable device 20 has already been established (i.e., the authenticity of the digital key has been confirmed). Conventional and widely implemented technologies may be used for digital key-based authentication.

[0061] Furthermore, the following describes the case where the specified operation of the portable device 20 is a tap operation. Furthermore, the following describes the case where the specified operation by the controlled device 18 is the locking and unlocking of the door of the mobile body 10. Furthermore, the following describes the case where the detection of the user's proximity by the detection device 16 is detected based on the pressing of a switch provided on the door handle or the like of the mobile body 10.

[0062] In the example shown in Figure 2, the detection device 16 mounted on the mobile body 10 first detects the pressing of the switch, that is, the detection device 16 detects the proximity of the user to the mobile body 10 (S101).

[0063] Based on the detection of the user's proximity in step S101, the control device 14 mounted on the mobile unit 10 determines whether the RSSI of the wireless signal compliant with a specified communication standard transmitted and received between the portable device 20 and the communication device 12 exceeds an initial threshold (RSSI determination using an initial threshold) (S102).

[0064] The initial threshold may be, for example, the threshold k1 shown in Figure 3. Threshold k1 is used to define an area that is sufficiently close to the moving object 10.

[0065] If the control device 14 determines in step S102 that the RSSI exceeds the initial threshold, the system 1 may lock and unlock the door without performing steps S103 to S109 shown in Figure 2 (S110).

[0066] This is because, if the RSSI exceeds the initial threshold, it is assumed that the portable device 20 is in an area sufficiently close to the moving object 10, regardless of the effects of human body shielding, etc.

[0067] On the other hand, if the control device 14 determines in step S102 that the RSSI is below the initial threshold, it causes the communication device 12 to send a notification (insufficient notification) indicating that the RSSI is below the initial threshold (S103). Note that the control device 14 may only cause the communication device 12 to send an insufficient notification if the proximity of a user is detected in step S101 and the RSSI is determined to be below the initial threshold in step S102. By using user proximity detection as a condition for sending the insufficient notification, it is possible to prevent the insufficient notification from continuing to be sent when the RSSI is below the initial value even though the user is not in close proximity to the mobile object 10.

[0068] The program installed on the portable device 20, if the portable device 20 receives a shortage notification in step S103, performs a tap operation detection process (an example of a prescribed operation) for a prescribed time only (S104). The program also causes the portable device 20 to output a notification prompting the user to perform a tap operation (a tap prompt notification) (S105).

[0069] The tap prompt notification should preferably be a notification that can be perceived without taking the portable device 20 out of a pocket, such as a vibration or sound of a predetermined pattern.

[0070] If it is detected that the user has performed a tap operation on the portable device 20 within the specified time (S106), the program installed on the portable device 20 controls the system to send a easing request that requests a relaxation of the threshold (S107). By setting a time limit for detecting tap operations in this way, it is possible to prevent accidental operations that would cause the threshold to be relaxed by an operation other than the user's intended operation.

[0071] If the communication device 12 receives a relaxation request in step S107, the control device 14 mounted on the mobile body 10 relaxes the threshold (S108).

[0072] In this case, the control device 14 may relax the threshold depending on the type of tap operation detected.

[0073] The mode of the tap operation may be, for example, the number of taps, the interval between taps, the frequency of taps per predetermined time, etc.

[0074] For example, if only one tap is detected, the control device 14 may relax the threshold from the initial threshold k1 to the threshold k2 shown in Figure 3, and if three taps are detected, it may relax the threshold from the initial threshold k1 to the threshold k3.

[0075] If the pressing of a switch on the door handle or the like of the mobile body 10 is detected again (S109), the control device 14 performs RSSI determination using the relaxed threshold (for example, threshold k2 or threshold k3) from step S108 (S110).

[0076] In step S110, if the control device 14 determines that the RSSI exceeds the relaxed threshold, it controls the locking and unlocking of the door on the mobile body 10 (S111).

[0077] The control flow of System 1 according to this embodiment has been explained above with an example.

[0078] The threshold relaxation control based on the prescribed operations described above may be performed repeatedly. For example, if the control device 14 determines in step S110 shown in Figure 2 that the RSSI is below the relaxed threshold, it may cause the communication device 12 to send a shortage notification again.

[0079] Furthermore, as described above, the prescribed operation by the control device 18 according to this embodiment is not limited to locking and unlocking the doors. In addition to locking and unlocking the doors, the system 1 may also perform control equivalent to the above sequence for engine starting, etc.

[0080] <2. Supplement> Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the attached drawings, the present invention is not limited to these examples. It is clear to any person with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs that various modifications or alterations can be conceived within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, and these are also understood to fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0081] For example, in the above embodiment, a mobile body was given as an example of a housing. However, the housing is not limited to such examples. The housing may be, for example, a delivery box, a locker, a building, etc. The present invention is also applicable to the locking and unlocking of locking devices provided in such various housings.

[0082] Furthermore, the series of processes performed by each device described herein may be implemented by a program stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Each program is, for example, loaded into RAM when executed by a computer and executed by a processor such as a CPU. The storage medium may be, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or flash memory. Alternatively, the program may be distributed without using a storage medium, for example, via a network. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0083] 1: System, 10: Mobile device, 12: Communication device, 14: Control device, 15: Control unit, 16: Detection device, 18: Controlled device, 20: Portable device

Claims

1. This includes a control device mounted in the enclosure, and a program installed on a portable device carried by the user of the enclosure, The control device, when the RSSI of a wireless signal conforming to a specified communication standard transmitted and received between the communication device mounted in the housing and the portable device exceeds a threshold, causes the controlled device provided in the housing to perform a specified operation. When the program detects a specified operation on the portable device, it performs control to send a relaxation request requesting a relaxation of the threshold, When the communication device receives the relaxation request, the control device relaxes the threshold, and if the RSSI exceeds the relaxed threshold, it causes the controlled device provided in the housing to perform a specified operation. system.

2. The control device relaxes the threshold according to the detected prescribed operation. The system according to claim 1.

3. The control device, when the RSSI is below the threshold, causes the communication device to send a notification indicating that the RSSI is below the threshold. The system according to claim 1.

4. After detecting the proximity of a user to the housing, the control device, if the RSSI is below the threshold required for the execution of the specified operation, causes the control device to send a notification to the communication device indicating that the RSSI is below the threshold. The system according to claim 3.

5. The program controls the output of a notification prompting the user to perform the specified action, based on a notification indicating that the RSSI is below the threshold. The system according to claim 3.

6. The program, based on a notification indicating that the RSSI is below the threshold, performs the detection of the specified operation for a specified period of time only. The system according to claim 3.

7. The aforementioned operation includes a tapping operation on the portable device. The system according to claim 1.

8. The aforementioned actions include one or more of the following: locking or unlocking the doors of the enclosure, starting the engine, or authorizing the starting of the engine. The system according to claim 1.

9. The aforementioned enclosure is a mobile unit. The system according to claim 1.

10. The aforementioned communication standards include BLE, The system according to claim 1.

11. The aforementioned portable device is a smartphone. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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